We can all uncross our fingers--today we saw the first Hypena moth emerge in our field cage! Now we know that our biocontrol agent can successfully survive an Ottawa winter. Last fall (2014) we let over 100 caterpillars complete their development and form pupae in a large field cage, so that we could determine whether they could make it through the rigors of our winters. I must admit, I was worried when the temperature went from +10 to -20 over a 24 hour period the last week of December 2014, with no snow cover to insulate the pupae. But at least a few of them made it through.
Let's hope there are soon a few more moths emerging to join the one I saw today!
Let's hope there are soon a few more moths emerging to join the one I saw today!